Winners in aged care

From person-centred care to programs minimising risk, aged care providers and staff have been recognised for their best practice at various recent awards across Australia.

From person-centred care to programs minimising risk, aged care providers and staff have been recognised for their best practice at various recent awards across Australia. 

 

Praise for person-centred care model 

Blue Care South West General Manager Vicki Plummer holds the award with the South West team.
Blue Care South West general manager Vicki Plummer holds the award with the South West team.

Blue Care’s South West Queensland service was recently awarded the General Practice Support Team of the Year award at the inaugural Darling Downs & South West Medicare Local Primary Health Care Innovation Awards.

Blue Care was also nominated in the category Innovative Primary Health Care Organisation of the Year and for an Innovative Community Health Award.

Blue Care South West general manager Vicki Plummer said the General Practice Support Team of the Year award win meant a lot to staff as it acknowledged their outstanding work of providing person-centred tailor-made care in the community.

“I am so proud to work with the wonderful staff at all of our services throughout south west Queensland and I want to thank them for their brilliant work they do every day,” Ms Plummer said.

“When we saw the categories, we realised that this was an opportunity to showcase the behind-the-scenes work of our day to day staff, and to celebrate our partnerships with local communities.”

Blue Care’s South West services assist more than 6,500 clients with services, such as nursing, allied health, respite and community care as well as residential aged care.

Award winners received a plaque and certificate, as well as $1,000 towards ongoing professional development.

Social engagement program recognised  

Amana Living has received a leadership award for its Enrichment Program during the Seniors Week Festival, which ran from 10 to 17 November.

“Our Enrichment Program is a growing collection of activities that help our residents and clients to be active and socially engaged,” said Amana Living CEO Ray Glickman.

“When the program attracts attention, it helps to dispel community stereotypes about older people, especially in aged care. The message is that older people can participate, contribute, and have as much fun as everybody else.”

The Enrichment Program was created to enhance wellbeing through a range of activities, from art to sport, and is funded through grants and donations.

“My job is to facilitate environments in which smiles and positive emotions can occur – that’s the basis of the Enrichment Program,” said Amana Living enrichment coach Kylie Mathieson, who leads the organisation in this area, developing and driving new projects.

Projects are tailored to include those with cognitive or physical challenges. Three of the most successful are:

  • The Wii World Cup: Players and coaches emerge from 40 centres across Australia (beyond Amana Living to other aged care providers) to compete in the annual Nintendo Wii tenpin bowling competition.
  • Windows to the World: Netsurfing using a laptop, big projector, speakers, and an enthusiastic volunteer or staff member, takes residents on a virtual tour of the globe, stimulating memories and keeping older people connected with the wider world and those around them.
  • Project Picasso: Family members and volunteers help residents and clients living with dementia to create artworks, culminating in an annual art exhibition open to the public.

The WA Seniors Awards are presented annually to recognise the work being done by and for seniors. Amana Living’s Enrichment Program received the Bendigo Bank Active Ageing Leadership Award, which recognises a not-for-profit organisation for its innovative planning and providing opportunities for seniors to lead full and satisfying lives.

Award for driver safety program 

Accepting the award is David Aberdeen from RDNS, third from left.
Accepting the award is David Aberdeen from RDNS, third from left.

RDNS has been awarded the Commercial Motor Award – Inspiring Excellence in Fleet Risk Management in the 2013 Lumley Insurance Benchmark Awards.

Presenting the awards, Lumley chief executive John Nagle cited RDNS’ fleet management program as one underpinned by a commitment to staff safety.

“Every fleet driver of the mobile nursing service has completed a defensive driving course, and safety features rank highly in their fleet selection process,” said Mr Nagle.

David Aberdeen, RDNS executive general manager, people and culture, said RDNS employed a comprehensive holistic approach to driver safety. “From induction, each of our staff undertake driver safety education, culminating in a day long, practical driving skills program. Each year sees around 300 staff complete this course,” he said.

“Additionally, the RDNS fleet is comprised only of NCAP 5 star rated vehicles, with the entire fleet turned over every two years ensuring each vehicle is equipped with the latest safety features.”

RDNS also distributes educational DVDs on the various car models in RDNS’ fleet, helping staff to familiarise themselves with the unique aspects of the cars they drive.

The holistic approach has seen a 62 per cent reduction in accidents in which injuries are caused to RDNS staff, with a resultant and significant decrease in Workcover claims, Mr Aberdeen said.

Tags: amana-living, blue-care, rdns,

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